Correct Response: B. Many people undergo a silent, or pre-production, period when they are beginning to learn a new language. They need time to absorb the patterns and vocabulary of the second language before they feel ready to produce it. Newcomer students have the additional stress of learning about the cultural aspects of communication and interaction in U.S. classrooms. In this scenario, the teacher should respect the student's silence and consider various alternative modes through which the student may feel more comfortable participating in class activities (e.g., through drawing content-related pictures, using gestures). The strategy described in A is incorrect because it forces engagement in language production before the student is ready, while C places additional stress upon a student who is already confronting multiple challenges. Both of these strategies could overwhelm the student and hinder language development. D is incorrect because this strategy assumes that a silent period is indicative of a speech-language disorder, which it is not.
